The Energy Tsunami Headed Our Way
This week, 27 senior statesman of both parties sent a joint memo to Congress, President Bush, both major candidates and all 50 governors. The memo warns of the long-term energy crisis approaching. It was signed by Colin Powell, Henry Kissinger and James Woolsey among others.
There’s one particular line of the letter that just sticks with me:
The United States is currently spending 50 percent less on energy research and development than during the 1970s’ oil embargo. We spend less than four billion dollars a year on clean energy R&D, which is less than we spend in three days on imported oil today.
There’s little question that the U.S. needs a new energy policy, but what’s the best step to take? Both candidates like the idea of cap-and-trade systems, but that’s not going to change the actions of the average American. Anybody out there have a plan?
Here’s a plan…invest in energy resources that are clean and within our national control. For energy needs in the home, more wind farms and/or water powered plants are in order. Stop paying farm subsidies to farmers NOT to produce corn and/or other vegetation that can be explored to produce fuel and instead spend that money on the research. It’s a win-win situation-farmers get paid for actualy producing something, no increase in costs (just reallocation of resources), money funds a new industry (thus creating jobs), and we can be a world leader in clean energy. Novel concept?